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Water dripping, pen clicking, clock ticking, food chewing - does even reading about these sounds create an uncomfortable sensation in you? For some people, certain sounds like these trigger a strong emotional response. This condition is called misophonia and is strongly influenced by your genes.
Occasionally, it is common for people to get irritated by certain sounds - like sitting next to someone on an airplane chewing their Pringles every so loudly.
But in people with misophonia, such sounds cause a severe reaction leaving them in psychological distress.
Their sensitivity to sounds triggers the fight or flight response leading to symptoms like
Such reactions can interfere with everyday life.
In some cases, misophonia can lead to physical and verbal aggression.
These reactions are involuntary and are triggered when the sound activates the autonomous nervous system, which is responsible for regulating fight or flight response.
Previous studies have noted that misophonia tends to run in families, indicating a potential genetic link.
A marker near the TENM2 gene has been associated with misophonia risk.
This gene produces the teneurin-m2 protein that helps different cells communicate with each other.
Teneurin-m2 is largely found in the brain, helping the organ form neural networks.
Researchers hypothesize that certain changes in the TENM2 gene cause teneurin-m2 to function a little differently, resulting in neural changes.
These changes may result in increased awareness of repeated noises or increased emotional triggers to external stimuli.
Misophonia is more common among people with other conditions like:
Curious about your misophonia genes? Here’s how you can learn about it in 3 simple steps:
Is bad breath interfering with your everyday life? It turns out, there may be a simple fix to it, and you don’t need to look anywhere beyond your pantry for this!
Bad breath is also called halitosis. It is an unpleasant odor or smell that comes in the exhaled breath.
While most people experience bad breath occasionally, this can be a regular occurrence for some.
Poor dental hygiene is one of the most common causes of bad breath.
When food debris remains behind after a meal, the bacteria in the mouth start breaking these down. This leads to the formation of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC).
VSC is a gaseous mix released with exhaled breath from the mouth, giving it an unpleasant smell.
For some people, bad oral hygiene can lead to problems like gingival and periodontal diseases and dry mouth, which add to the odor.
About 80-85% of all cases of bad breath originate in the oral cavity.
Respiratory conditions like pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and chronic bronchitis may also cause bad breath.
Metabolic disorders and diseases like diabetes mellitus, renal failure, liver failure, and leukemia may also cause distinct odors in the breath.
Consumption of certain drugs like acetaminophen, antihistamines, disulfiram, and some chemotherapy drugs can all cause temporary bad breath. The odor may go away after discontinuing the medications.
Researchers of the National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases at Sichuan University recently analyzed the effects of probiotics on halitosis.
According to it, yogurt and other probiotic foods, when consumed regularly, may help reduce bad breath.
This meta-analysis included seven studies and a total of 278 individuals. These individuals were between the ages of 17 and 70.
Halitosis was diagnosed based on four criteria - organoleptic score (OLP), Volatile Sulfur Compound (VSC) levels, Tongue Coating Scores (TCS), and Plaque Index (PI) scores.
This study concludes that probiotics like Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus reuteri, Streptococcus salivarius, and Weissella cibaria may help reduce halitosis by reducing the concentration of VSC in less than four weeks.
In the long term, consuming probiotics helps bring down OLP scores.
The study suggests that probiotics may prevent the bacteria in the mouth from breaking down the proteins and amino acids in the food debris to reduce halitosis.
According to a 2021 study, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Weissella are probiotic strains most effective in curing bad breath.
The basic culture in yogurt is Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, making it a perfect food choice for dealing with bad breath.
Other probiotic-rich foods and drinks that you can consume are:
Some foods may be enriched with probiotics, which are also good choices to keep bad breath away.
Apart from insufficient oral hygiene, there could be other causes of halitosis. Understanding the root cause of breath odor will help treat it appropriately.
Brushing your teeth after meals, flossing when you think there is food lodging, and using a mouth rinse may help keep the teeth and gums healthy.
If you have existing gum diseases, treating them will treat bad breath too.
Certain foods like garlic or onion can cause bad breath. If you are conscious of the odor, limiting the intake of these foods may help.
For some people, the bad odor could be a result of dry mouth. Drinking enough fluids over the day may help.
Did you know that some people with autism take, on average, 11 minutes longer to fall asleep than a neurotypical person?
Sleep is essential to life, and it's no different for those affected by autism. Unfortunately, many individuals with autism can have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.
Understanding the connection between autism and sleep can help inform interventions that support better sleeping habits in those affected.
No Ancestry Test Data? No Problem
One of the largest studies investigating the prevalence of sleep problems in autism reported that >80% of preschoolers with autism had disrupted sleep.
While some people with autism have trouble falling asleep, others wake up throughout the night. Some even report rising earlier than anyone else in their family.
Many people with autism have lesser REM (rapid eye movement) sleep than others. The REM stage of sleep is crucial for
Sleep disturbances in harmful to all people. For those with autism, it can amplify hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors.
Several traits associated with autism are known to cause sleep problems.
Some of them are
Another prevalent problem in people with autism is gastrointestinal troubles like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
This can result in sleep disturbances.
The sleep-wake cycle is controlled by a biological phenomenon called the circadian rhythm.
When the genes regulating circadian rhythm function well, appropriate amounts of the sleep hormone, or melatonin, are released at the correct timings to manage the sleep-wake cycle.
However, research shows that in people with autism, there may be higher incidences of mutations (or changes) in the circadian rhythm genes, resulting in abnormal melatonin production.
This can result in feelings of wakefulness during the times they are supposed to sleep and also make it difficult to wake up when they should be.
Researchers are still trying to figure out if autism is driving the sleep issues or if the sleep issues are worsening autism symptoms.
Sleep research in autism has only recently picked up momentum, and scientists are already seeing sleep issues as a hallmark of the condition!
Image: The What and Why of Autism and Sleep
While sleep research in autism is slowly making its progress, there are a few things people with autism (as well as neurotypical people) can do to improve their sleep.
Exercising during the day lowers the time it takes to fall asleep. It also helps reduce sleep disturbances at night.
Avoiding screen exposure and limiting high-energy activities a couple of hours before bedtime can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down, and all activities associated with wakefulness can be brought to rest.
A relaxing activity like a bath, listening to music, reading books before sleeping, and following a consistent bedtime can help improve sleep quality.
Melatonin supplements or slow-release melatonin drugs can help reset sleep cycles and improve sleep quality.
However, melatonin supplements are to be taken only upon the recommendation of a qualified medical practitioner.
Resolving some of the sleep issues faced by people with autism can help improve their overall quality of life.
Autism is a complex disorder that can lead to various sleep challenges for those affected. Research suggests that these sleep challenges are often linked to the individual's unique sensory sensitivities, anxiety levels, and developmental and behavioral issues.
Disruptions in the body's natural circadian rhythm due to certain gene changes that disrupt melatonin levels also contribute to the sleep issues faced by people with autism.
It is important for those with autism to receive adequate support from their healthcare team to ensure healthy and restful sleep. Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as creating a consistent bedtime routine, avoiding large meals late at night, and exercising regularly can help improve the overall quality of sleep.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the DNA in your mitochondria and helps trace your matrilineal ancestry as it is inherited maternally.
This means you have the same mtDNA as your mother, grandmother, and siblings.
So, unlike autosomal DNA (found in non-sex chromosomes), mtDNA can trace your maternal relatives four or five generations back.
mtDNA is circular in shape and comprises 16,500 molecules called nucleotides.
These nucleotides are responsible for producing energy in each cell.
People assigned male at birth (MAB) inherit mtDNA from their mother but do not pass it on to their children.
People assigned females at birth (FAB) can pass on their mtDNA to their offspring.
Since mtDNA is passed down from a mother to her children unchanged, it presents several advantages for forensic researchers.
Chromosomal DNA is present in the nucleus of each cell.
While half an individual’s DNA comes from the father, the other half comes from the mother.
With mitochondrial DNA, however, this is not the case.
The genetic material present in the mitochondria is entirely inherited from the mother.
For this reason, mitochondrial DNA is also called maternal DNA.
An mtDNA test traces an individual’s mother’s line of ancestry. They may be related if there is a perfect mtDNA match between two individuals.
When you opt for an mtDNA test, one of the three following parts of the DNA is analyzed:
*HVR or Hyper Variable Region
If the test is analyzing HVR1, it evaluates a small set of nucleotides at the end of the DNA strand.
When the test analyzes HVR2, it evaluates base pairs present at the beginning of the DNA strand.
The coding region is the part between HVR1 and HVR2.
Most mtDNA tests analyze either HVR1, HVR2, or both regions.
Since everyone inherits the mtDNA from their mother, this DNA testing can be taken by men and women.
mtDNA can help researchers determine the following:
Since mtDNA remains largely unchanged for several matrilineal generations, the mtDNA test can provide information about an individual’s female ancestors.
The test can also give greater detail about the ethnicity or country of origin of an individual’s female ancestors.
An mtDNA test can help you identify your risk for several diseases encoded in your mtDNA. Some of these diseases include:
An mtDNA test can help you discover long-lost family or relatives.
The cost of a mitochondrial DNA test begins at an average of USD 350 and upwards.
Cosmeceuticals are cosmetics that have additional drug-like or medicinal benefits to the body.
The latest entrant in this category is the antimicrobial lipstick that everyone is talking about.
Organic beauty products are those made using active, natural ingredients. These ingredients are supposed to make beneficial changes to the person’s body upon regular usage.
Based on this idea, a group of researchers has developed an interesting product - a lipstick that can protect against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
In December 2022, a group of researchers published a study in the ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces journal, introducing a new product called antimicrobial lipstick.
This lipstick can inactivate diverse microorganisms that could spread via the lips.
It is very common to see friends and family share lipsticks or chapsticks.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, experts are constantly searching for ways to prevent the further spread of SARS-CoV-2.
When you share lipstick, apart from this virus, you risk getting infected by multiple bacterial and fungal infections.
According to researchers who created this lipstick, the ingredients in this may help inactivate microorganisms that get passed on when you share lipsticks.
The main ingredient of interest in this lipstick is cranberry extract.
Cranberries are a rich source of polyphenols. These are plant-based compounds that are rich in antioxidants.
Cranberry extracts are commonly used to treat urinary tract infections and have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
They also have antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making them a very healthy fruit to snack on.
Cranberries contain the following phytochemicals.
This antimicrobial lipstick contains cranberry extract, shea butter, vitamin E, provitamin B5, babassu oil, and avocado oil.
Thanks to the cranberry extracts, the formulation has a natural red color.
According to researchers, this bio-based lipstick can inactivate many microorganisms, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
When tested, it also inactivated other types of microorganisms, including:
Image source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.2c19460
The above image shows tests performed with the bio-lipstick on different microorganisms and the results after one hour of contact.
Within five hours, the lipstick inactivated most of the microorganisms it interacted with.
Antimicrobial lipsticks definitely have protective benefits that regular lipsticks don’t.
Antimicrobial lipsticks can be an effective cosmeceutical solution with no compromise on qualities such as stain, texture, and application longevity.
We will need to wait and see how the cosmetic industry adapts to the idea.
Healthy aging is a process of optimizing opportunities to maintain and improve physical and mental health and quality of life throughout an individual’s life.
The WHO defines healthy aging as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.
Functional ability is described as having capabilities that enable people to perform activities that they wish to perform, which may include:
Environment influences our behavior, access to a healthcare facility, and social care as people age.
Every individual has the right to healthy and long life, including healthy aging.
It is important to understand that healthy aging is not just being disease-free but having an overall healthy well-being.
Several factors affect how we age, including
Human genes are programmed for aging.
A protein called rapamycin regulates aging and growth.
A few theories suggest that an individual’s aging and longevity are determined by their parents' and grandparents’.
We are what we eat, and our diet and metabolism play an important role in how we age.
Metabolism produces chemicals or oxidizing agents that may increase aging due to cellular damage.
Several studies have shown how pollutants and other factors like temperature rise and UV exposure contribute to lung diseases and dementia.
There is ample evidence that suggests certain air pollutants accelerate age-related illnesses.
Aging gives rise to several health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac conditions.
Type 2 diabetes accelerates brain aging and cognitive decline, while hypertension increases the risk for age-related vascular conditions.
Smoking and alcohol consumption is injurious to health.
Though they impact the body differently, smoking and alcohol consumption influence skin and volume-related facial aging.
Smoking also increases the risk of various types of cancer, while liver damage may cause liver cancer.
By studying factors associated with successful aging, individuals can work with families, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to create a world and environment that supports healthy aging.
Researchers from the University of Toronto attempted to find the keys to “successful” or optimal aging by studying over 7000 participants.
The study followed over 7000 middle-aged and older Canadian women from financially stable backgrounds.
The participants were non-obese, did not suffer from insomnia, and were more likely to maintain good health and less likely to develop cognitive, physical, and emotional issues as they grew older.
This study evaluated various factors like obesity, income, and lifestyle factors like smoking, physical activity, and sleep.
Here are a few findings from this study:
This study was restricted to participants who were 60 years or older and in optimal health during the baseline wave of data collection.
More studies are required in different groups of older adults.
There is no sure-shot secret to healthy aging.
However, here are a few things you can do to ensure you age healthily:
